Jack GERMAIN Obituary


GERMAIN, Jack

Jack a 25-year resident of Shingle Springs and long-time staffer in the California legislature, died on May 23, 2013, in the New Bern, North Carolina home of his daughter, Suzanne Selzer. In his final years, he battled Lewy Body disease, a combined form of dementia and Parkinsons. He was 81 years of age. Jack was born in Richmond, Virginia in 1931. Losing both of his parents before the age of 13, he left high school early to join the United States Navy. He served from 1950 to 1954, with assignments on Guam and aboard ship during the Korean War, earning the bronze star. Honorably discharged in San Diego, Jack remained in southern California, married Jule Moffatt, the sister of a shipmate on June 6, 1953. Jack returned to school and trained as a journalist. He soon landed opportunities to be a beat writer, feature writer, and sports editor for several local newspapers. He was an award-winning writer for the Alhambra Free Press, recognized by the Associated Press as an excellent investigative journalist. As a member of the Monterey Park Junior Chamber of Commerce, Jack had a vision of a track and field event that would bring senior high school athletes from across the country together in a national competition. The Jaycee's, following his vision, organized the first annual Golden West Invitational in 1960. When Jack subsequently relocated to Sacramento, the invitational meet found a new home in the capital city. That vision is going strong 54 years later, with Golden West alumni having been part of every U.S. Olympic track team since 1984. Jack moved his family to Sacramento in 1964, started the Pacific Coast News Service, and became part of Capitol press corps. In 1968, he migrated from the news room to the legislative arena and was proud to serve over a 20-year period in numerous capacities under Governors Pat Brown and Ronald Reagan, Senators Craig Biddle, George Deukmejian, Jim Nielsen, and Ollie Speraw, and Assemblymen Jesse Unruh and Bob Monagan. Jack was a founding director of the Coloma Crescent Players and was active for many years in the Old Coloma Theater, an amateur theatrical group dedicated to old west melodrama. He also served as president of Theater El Dorado, a community group which took its production of Spoon River Anthology to the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Among his notable roles was Big Daddy in Theater El Dorado's production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Jack gained notoriety as an accomplished actor, writer, director, and coordinator for all things related to the performing arts in El Dorado County. After leaving government service, Jack acted as consultant and advocate for many groups needing advice on how to navigate the obstacles of California politics. One of these groups was VisionQuest (VQ), an organization dedicated to providing an alternative to juvenile incarceration. As a consequence this role, Jack and Jule made several visits to the VQ facility near Elfrida, Arizona. During these visits, they came to appreciate the scenery, weather, and overall attitude of southern Arizona and ultimately moved to Sierra Vista. Unfortunately, Jack lost his Jule to melanoma in 1996, and would soon move on. Over the next several years he spent time in Ohio, touring Canada with a Christian Theater group, getting remarried and settling just outside of Tampa, Florida. When his health deteriorated, he made his last move to North Carolina just a short time before he would take his final bow. He is preceded in death by his father Raymond Sr., his mother Dorothy (Higgason), his brother Raymond Jr., and his wife and companion of 43 years, Jule (Moffatt). He is survived by his second wife Marilyn (Simmons) of Brandon, Florida, son Daniel of Elk Grove, California, daughter Suzanne Selzer of New Bern, North Carolina, son David of Sierra Vista, Arizona, twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also mourned by his shipmate, matchmaker, and brother-in-law, Wes Moffatt and his wife Sandra, of Garden Grove, California. No services are planned locally. Those who wish to honor the memory of Jack Germain are encouraged to contribute to, or participate in, any local performing arts or youth athletic organization, or the Kiwanis Family House in Sacramento.

Published by The Sacramento Bee on Jun. 4, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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My mom knew and worked with Jack, and I wanted to share some photos I found. Thought the family might enjoy.

Rachel

August 6, 2023

I am saddened beyond words to hear of Jack's passing. The years have passed too quickly and the image I've held of Jack and Jule living happily in the foothills is shattered. One of my earlier jobs in the Legislature was for Senator Speraw and Jack was our leader. He taught me the legislative ropes and the political arena. I will be forever grateful to him for believing in me that resulted in a fascinating career. He was the most easy-going, grounded, intelligent, legislative staffer I've ever met and had the honor to work with. Never a cross word passed Jack's lips and that alone set him apart from all others. His cowboy boots were his signature. The "Speraw" family loved and admired him and were so blessed to have him as our friend and mentor. I am also saddened to hear that he lost Jule to cancer so many years ago. I can't imagine him without her-they were two peas in a pod. My heart goes out to their children, family and to Marilyn-I'm happy you were there to love him and help heal his heart. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and Jack will be forever within all of us. Break a leg, old friend!

Diane Manassero Frieders

June 7, 2013

I was Brick to Jack's Big Daddy. I have always relished the time both on and offstage spent with this man of incredible knowledge, kindness and thoughtfulness. We spend 25 minutes a night alone in conversation as father and son on stage and I will alsways remember it. Thank you Jack. Rest well Big Daddy

Greg Stirnaman

June 6, 2013

Jack was a great help in establishing the Coloma Crescent Players, Inc. and the theatre is still going strong despite many problems. Vickey and I really missed him when he left.

June 5, 2013

I am very saddened to hear of Jack's passing. Jack was one of the great ones - a great friend, a great fellow actor, and a great boss. I will always hold dear our times at the Olde Coloma Theater - such fun we all had. I will remember his performance in Spoon River Anthology, which brought me to tears. If I could talk to him now, I would tell him I still love to get on the boards and will always dedicate myself in some shape or form to the performing arts. Also, I'll remember his old typewriter, which we could hear go tippity tap as he wrote analyses or talking points or whatever was needed for Senator Speraw. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to start such a great career in the legislative and administrative arena.
My sincere condolences to your family. You will always be remembered with love and fondness.

Jody Wills

June 5, 2013

Jim and I both worked with Jack on Senator Jim Nielsen's staff. Jack hired me (Patricia). Jack was a great guy and Jim and I are saddened to learn of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jack's family.

Patricia & Jim Branham

June 4, 2013

Thanks for all the great memories while we were both at the Olde Coloma Theatre and I still don't remember all my lines. ;) He gave me a lot of confidence and I miss him.

Ed Mikula

June 4, 2013

Thanks, Dad, for being my Dad.

David Germain

June 4, 2013

Jack hired me in January of 1965 as a consultant to the Republican majority in the Assembly. We stayed in sporadic touch through the years and each time he came back to visit we reminisced about the times gone by and the paths our families had taken.

Jack was one of the nicest men I have ever known. He was the quintessential gentleman. I owe Jack a great deal and it was such an honor to know this man.

To this day a group of the people he hired still stay in touch and meet for a reunion as events dictate meeting.

Good bye, Jack, I will most certainly miss you.

Richard Colby

June 4, 2013

Jack was one of the best mentors I ever had. He was truly a Renaissance man.

Bob Johnson

June 4, 2013

Thank you Jack for giving me the opportunity to pursue my passion in politics and start my career. Your guidance I will always cherish. I will miss you and god bless you and your family.

Scott Hart

June 4, 2013

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